Davy’s Dragon Castle

by Mary & Michael Schmidt

Picture Book, 33 pages.

Christmas story about acceptance.

https://bookgoodies.com/a/B09MMP3ZV9

In Davy’s Dragon Castle, children learn to get along with others no matter the color of their fur or skin. It’s important for children to learn the concept of, and how to not be racist and toddlers are a great age to start the teaching.

Anti-racism education in elementary school starts with students’ awareness of themselves, of others and of how those interactions play out. All social and emotional learning helps children to express feelings and be tuned in to the needs of others. This teaching contributes to the development of all children.

Additionally, children are introduced to a character that wears a prosthetic leg, giving children a chance to learn and understand how prosthetics work and if it does/does not limit abilities. Acceptance and inclusion are important in social learning from an early age.

The opportunity to interact with your child/children in a positive environment, such as the castle in this story, illustrates the importance of a positive environment in aiding children with learning social skills with other children and adults.  Davy’s Dragon Castle helps parents and teachers to reinforce positive behaviors in an imaginative setting of imaginary dragons, castle, and town. Learning and sharing are essential for social development in all children.  

Kindness is her theme. Children learn that differences aren’t what matters. It’s acceptance. Mary’s colorful characters and their personalities mesh beautifully in the story.

Daisy, on Amazon

MY REVIEW
Davy's Dragon Castle is a cute Christmas story for kids. It tells the story of Davy and his wife Lily, two dragons who live in Dragon Town. Dragon Town is magical, and the only people who know about it are the people who live there. 
In the story, Christmas is coming, and Davy is preparing to have a celebration for all of the families in town. He and his wife are getting the castle ready with a little help from some fairies. Everyone is excited to celebrate Christmas.
I thought this was a cute read, but I wasn't too sure about the illustrations. They came across as almost CGI-esque in a way, but I'm sure the vivid realness of them will delight children by bringing the story to life. There were also a few spots where the story seemed a little repetitive (similar wording repeated on the same page). I thought it did detract a little from the story, but that just might be a me thing. 
Davy's Dragon Castle does give off a fantasy vibe, as it includes dragons and fairies and magic, but it also has a real-life lesson in terms of being accepting of everyone. There's a little dragon named Tim (nice nod) with a prosthetic leg, and a bunny family who gets turned away by a fairy, only to be invited in by Davy. The story teaches kids they should be accepting of everyone, regardless of how they look. 
The end of the book also includes a quick mention of Jesus. But overall, it's a unique holiday story.
I give it 3.5 stars. 

About the authors

Michael, pen name A Raymond. She grew up in a small Kansas (USA) town.

between Kansas and Colorado (we love the mountains and off road 4-wheeling).

Traveling is one of our most favorite things to do and I always have a book or even

three books that I read, in the same week. Books were really my thing. It seemed like

every time I turned around, I was obtaining a new library card due to the current one

being stamped complete. Diving into a good book made any day perfect and you

would be surprised at the number of books I read over and over. I drew paper dolls

and clothes for them, and using watercolor as my medium when painting scenes,

especially flowers. I continued with art in high school exploring a wide variety of arts

and I loved it! The creative side of me loves to be an amateur “shutter-bug” and we

have an online art gallery. In college I went into the sciences of all things and received

a bachelor’s degree in the Science of Nursing. My nursing career was highly successful,

and I hung up my nursing hat in December 2012.”

spending time with their grandchildren, Austin, and Emma.

 

Website and social media:

https://whenangelsfly.net/

https://twitter.com/MaryLSchmidt

https://www.facebook.com/MMSchmidtAuthorGDDonley

https://www.instagram.com/mschmidtphotography/

https://www.deviantart.com/mschmidtartwork/gallery

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC549RC6yxc3Xm_wzVH-_GMg

https://www.pinterest.com/marylschmidt/_saved/

https://www.amazon.com/S.-Jackson/e/B013NRRKR2